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"It is sometimes very hard to speak truth to power, as they say. And for those in power it can be particularly tough to hear the truth," FBI Director Christopher Wray said. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

New FBI chief predicts: 'Our integrity will be tested'

The FBI's new director, who took over the law enforcement agency after President Donald Trump fired its former chief, warned Thursday that officials at the FBI and across the federal government will face pressure to act unethically and need to resist it.

"At some point for everybody in this room and everybody in my organization, our integrity will be tested," Christopher Wray told a Washington audience of investigators who work for federal government inspectors general. "It happens to everybody. It happens to all of us. It could be at a time where we’re being asked to make a decision that is inconsistent with what we know is right and what we know is true, where we’ll be asked to do something without fully thinking it through."

During his 20-minute speech, Wray offered no specifics on ethical challenges he expects to face or has dealt with in the past, but he implored the internal government watchdogs in the room not to give into such pressure, even in cases where they think they might get away with it.

"It could be at a time we think no one will notice, no one will know," the FBI chief said. "I would argue that actually those are the times where we need to stay most true to our core integrity and our professionalism. To think critically and thoughtfully and to do what’s right, not just for ourselves individually so we can look ourselves in the mirror as leaders, but for our agencies and the government and the public that we all serve."

Critics of Wray's predecessor, James Comey, say he became so convinced of his own personal integrity that he departed from long-established government protocols in handling high-profile matters like the investigation into Hillary Clinton's private email server.

The new FBI director, who was sworn in in August, did not mention Comey or that investigation Thursday. However, Wray did tell his audience that adherence to process is a vital part of their work.

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"I happen to be a big believer in process. And left foot, right foot, kind of grinding it out, day in day out," Wray declared. "I think there's actually something quite noble about focusing on work itself and the process and doing the right thing, but in the right way. And treating everybody with respect regardless of whether they’re on the same side of the table or the other side of the table—and not cutting corners."

Wray, a former head of the Justice Department's criminal division under President George W. Bush, also cautioned about being too convinced of one's own righteousness.

"We are a country built on checks and balances. The reality is nobody likes being checked and that’s often where the danger is," Wray said. "People are in such a hurry and you get—you start drinking your own Kool-Aid and are convinced that because your intentions, you think, are pure, whatever it is you want must be pure as well," Wray said. "I think that’s where, I think, things can go off the rails probably the most easily."

Trump tapped Wray for the FBI post in June following a tumultuous search process in which an initial series of potential nominees put forward by the Justice Department were either rejected or withdrew from consideration. The FBI chief suggested Thursday that many of his associates advised against him taking the job.

"The number of people who asked me if I needed to have my head examined was somewhat disconcerting," Wray said.

At Wray's confirmation hearings, he faced a series of questions from Democrats who cited Trump's alleged pressure on Comey related to the Russia investigation. The lawmakers asked Wray whether he would have the fortitude to stand up to the president if he asked the FBI to do something improper. Wray insisted he would.

In his remarks Thursday, the FBI director made no reference to Trump asking for anything inappropriate or anything at all, for that matter. However, Wray did speak of the need to let superiors know when they're straying off course.

"It is sometimes very hard to speak truth to power, as they say. And for those in power it can be particularly tough to hear the truth," the FBI chief said.

Wray said he has conveyed to his subordinates that he wants to be flagged to problems before they get out of hand.

"Look, I need you to tell me what I need to hear, not just what you think I want to hear," the FBI director said he told his staff. "I need the bad news really almost more than I need the good news…I tell them i need them to speak up and tell me if I'm getting ready to make a bad decision and why. As you can imagine, in a sort of paramilitary-style organization like the bureau, it takes a little convincing to get people to do that, but I really really believe that that is one of the most important things you can do as a leader."

Wray spoke at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center as part of an annual award ceremony for inspectors general employees. He highlighted several of the awards being given, including one for a Homeland Security IG investigation into issuance of "duplicate and erroneous green cards" allowing immigrants residency in the United States.

The FBI director, who was a partner at the King and Spalding law firm before joining the FBI, also expressed particular appreciation for work by Amtrak's inspector general on improving the railroad's operations.

"You're working to strengthen Amtrak's customer service which, from my private sector time, resonates," Wray said to considerable laughter from the assembled group. "That strikes me as a lifetime achievement award on behalf of the entire eastern seaboard."